“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Photo of a Western tanager at Wyoming’s National Elk Refuge. Photo by Ann Hough/USFWS. Tweeted by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, 8/16/17.

North America doesn’t have lions, but we do have the “mountain lion” (a.k.a. cougar, panther or puma). Photo by Justin Shoemaker. Tweeted by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, 8/9/17.

An eagle flies through a rainbow as a storm clears one of the many small islands on Lake Vermilion. The fifth largest lake in Minnesota, Lake Vermilion contains over 75 small public land islands covered with birch, pine and spruce. Some of the islands have boat-in campsites, and many are only large enough for one site, ensuring that you can have an entire island to yourself! The Bureau of Land Management works with the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe (also referred to as Chippewa) to protect traditional-use areas and cultural sites on the islands. The lake is popular for fishing and contains a diversity of species including largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike and perch. Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 7/3/17.

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A double rainbow over the Grand Canyon. Photo by Tony Prince. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 3/17/17.

Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. Photo by Manish Mamtan, Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/21/17.

Within sight of New York City skyscrapers, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is an 18,000-acre wetland estuary surrounded by the Rockaway Peninsula to the south, Brooklyn to the west, and Queens to the east. An area almost equal to the size of Manhattan, the bay consists of numerous islands, a labyrinth of waterways, meadowlands and two freshwater ponds. The refuge provides an accessible and unique environment for both wildlife and urban recreation. Photo by Micael Fano. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/22/17.

Located on the outer portion of Massachusetts’s Cape, Cape Cod National Seashore’s 44,600 acres encompass a rich mosaic of marine, estuarine, fresh water and terrestrial ecosystems. Here you can explore pristine sandy beach, lighthouses, cultural landscapes and wild cranberry bogs. Photo of the Milky Way rising over a salt pond by Jatin Thakkar. Posted on Tumblr by the Us Department of the Interior, 6/25/17.

You never know what you’ll see at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Emerging from cover after a storm, Ron Hazeloop chased a rainbow to Spruce Lake and just happened to catch a large bull moose standing in the water. Snapping the photo, he called it “a magical moment.” Photo by Ron Hazeloop. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 8/12/17.

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It was 14 months ago that I first discussed a special project for a restaurant that was in development. The manager found me at a craft fair, and wanted me to make some special serving pieces for him.

Well, OK then.

After following up with my contact immediately after the event and then again about 13 months ago, I assumed this idea would not move forward.

1 month ago, the phone rang. The restaurant was finally to the point that they almost knew what they wanted. After some design discussions, they gave me direction for 4 pieces … and I decided to make 8 different pieces on spec.

They offered to pay me for the work, but I know that if they don’t like the pieces, then someone else will. The ideas here are very simple – the food will be the star, I’m sure!

I meet with the managers this week, and I’ll let you know how it goes. Here’s what we will be discussing.

As with yesterday’s clipboards, these Lazy Susans are finished with “wipe on poly,” or polyurethane. I then added a topcoat of wax.

The three Black Walnut Susans really show the incredible variety of Black Walnut. I say it all the time: there’s nothing like Black Walnut.

In these pieces, you can clearly see the wide array of colors that can come out in some piece of Black Walnut: purples, turquoises, reds … as well as the much more common browns and creams.

Since I was having so much fun playing with the Walnut, it’s odd that a single board with a totally different design snuck in there, but sneak it did. It’s a good thing, too: my updated inventory of Lazy Susans tells me I only have 11 pieces for next week’s event. That’s fine … but 11 pieces won’t take me though October, much less the end of the year.

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A long time ago, I recall a fabulous late night conversation about plants that are confused. Trees think they are bushes. Bushes think they are trees. Very confusing times.

Alcohol may have been involved.

Today, I confront a similar conundrum. I make cheese boards … and people want them to be cutting boards. I make small cutting boards … and people think they are perfect for serving cheese.

My job, therefore, is to get out of the way and let people choose what they like, and use them how they like.

I’m good with that. Just like I’m good with bushes that think they are trees. After all, everyone should have a dream.

The shop has been humming for the last several weeks, even though you haven’t seen much of what I’ve been doing. There’s big stuff going on … and here’s a small taste of what I’ve been able to get out of the shop this week.

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The sound of water babbling in a stream. Sunlight streaming through tall trees. The rich smell of the misty forest drifting on the air. Find your perfect nature moment at Olympic National Park in Washington. Photo by Adam Jewell. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/23/17.

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A Montana wolverine hunts for its next meal. These solitary, elusive predators are rarely seen. Wolverines have five curved claws on each paw for climbing and digging. They eat carrion, birds, berries, and insects. Photo by Roy Anderson. Posted on the US Fish & Wildlife Service – Mountain Region’s Facebook page 8/3/17.